Partition structure



July 9, 1935. w. s. sNEAD 2,007,618

PARTITION STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 15, 19s: 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A Q- A INVENTOR I y M A'ITORNEY! y w. s. SNEAD 2,007,618

' PARTITION STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 15, 1935 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENTOR BY W ATTORNEYS Patented July 9, 1935 PATENT OFFICE PARTITION STRUCTURE William Scott Snead, Montclair, N. 1., asslgnor to Snead & Company, Jersey City, N. .L, a corporation of New Jersey Application September 15, 1933, Serial No. 689,541 5 Claims. (Cl. 189-34) This invention relates to partition structures and in particular to metallic partition structures of the type composed of a plurality of panel units adapted to be secured together in partition form.

One of the primary objects of the invention is the provision of partition structure employing parts novelly constructed to provide numerous different arrangements of partition walls whereby the number of parts of different size and formation which have to be manufactured and carried in stock is very materially reduced.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved framing members for partitions adapted for use in constructing either single or double walled partitions.

A further object resides in the provision of improved framing members adapted for use in constructing either single or double walled'partitions with panels of the same size.

How the foregoing, together with such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear or are incident to my invention are realized, is illustrated in preferred form in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is an elevational view of part of a partition constructed in accordance with my invention with a portion of one of the post assembly covers broken out to show interior construction;

Figure 2 is a plan section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and illustrating a double walled partition;

Figure 3 is a plan section similar to Figure 2 but illustrating a three-way condition;

Figure 4 is a plan section similar to Figure 2 but illustrating a single walled partition;

Figure 5 is a cross section taken on the line 55 of Figure 1 illustrating a cross rail for a double walled partition; and

Figure 6 is a cross section similar to Figure 5 but illustrating a cross rail for a single walled partition.

The partition illustrated comprises a plurality of like panel units A adapted to be secured together in alignment to form a straight run of partition, or in various other arrangements as will hereinafter appear. Each unit A comprises a pair of end uprights or style members ii, a plurality of cross members extending from end upright to end upright and in this instance comprising a bottom rail l; a top rail 8; and intermediate rails 9 and It; panels H, l2, and I3 secured in position between the uprights and rails, and suitable means such as tie rods H! for tying the various parts together into a -unit. In order to provide a finish at the floor, a suitable mop strip I5 is associated with the bottom rail 1 and plinths I6 are associated with the end upriri'its.

Referring particularly to Figures 2, 3 and 4, it

will be seen that the end uprights 6 are of gen-- erally channel shape in cross section and are provided with three longitudinally extending panel receiving grooves in their web portions. These grooves are preferably evenly spaced crosswise of the uprights with the end grooves ll closely adjacent the side faces of the uprights and the intermediate groove l8 located centrally of the upright. All of the grooves are of approximately the same depth and are aligned in a direction transverse of the partition so that their bottoms lie in substantially the same plane. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the uprights may be employed to provide a double glazed or double walled partition by inserting the panels in the outside grooves l1, and when so arranged a cover or blanking strip I9 is used to cover theintermediate groove is. This cover I9 is preferably made of channel shape in cross section and, the flanges thereof engage in the end grooves so as to retain it in place.

However, if it is desired to construct a single glazed or single walled partition, single panels 20 are inserted in the intermediate panel receiving grooves l8, as shown'in Figure 4, and the end grooves I! are blanked off or covered by means of cover members or blanking strips 2| which are of generally channel shape in cross section and are arranged so that the flanges thereof engage the outer walls of the outer grooves H. The particular cover member illustrated in Figure 4 extends from one outer groove to the other and has a central groove 22 fitting the central groove iii of the upright. However, in some instances two cover members may be employed of simple channel form, each with its inner flange engaging one edge of the intermediate groove in the upright and its outer flange engaging the outer groove in the same manner as shown in Figure 4.

It will thus be seen that I have provided framing members for partitions which are adapted for the construction of either a double walled partition or a single walled partition so that it is unnecessary to carry separate stock for making up these two forms of partitions. By having the grooves all of approximately the same depth and by having them in transverse alignment, it will be seen that the same size panels can be em-. ployed in constructing either a double walled or single walled partition, and furthermore, the exposed area of the panel will be the same in either case. Also, by comparing Figures 2 and 4 it will be seen that the width of the post assembly is the same in the double walled partition as it is in the single walled partition, so that the general eil'ect of the two partitions insofar as post proportions are concerned, will be the same.

In constructing a straight run ofpartition the adjacent panel units A are secured together in spaced alignment as by means of plate-like clip members 23 having spaced open slots 24 adapted to engage inturned flanges 25 provided on the end uprights.

In order to cover the space between the end uprights of adjacent units and to give a finished post appearance to the assembly, the end uprights are recessed at 26 for the reception of post covers 21, the amount of recess being such that when the post covers 21 are placed in position their outer faces lie flush with the outer exposed side faces of the end uprights. The covers 21 are provided with inturned flanges 28 adapted to snap over the rounded portions 29 oi the clip members 23 so that they may be snapped into position and thus detachably held in place.

In Figure 3 I have illustrated a three-way condition and it will be seen that the panel unit A' which extends at right angles to the aligned panel units A, is positioned by means of mating bevelled edges 30 provided on the end uprights, and that this panel unit is secured in place by means of clamping plates 3| and screws 32 engaging upturned flanges 33 on the securing clips 23. A post cover 21 closes the space between the adjacent end uprights of the straight run of this partition.

If it is desired to construct a four-way condition the cover 21 just mentioned is omitted and another panel unit is positioned in alignment with the panel unit A, which unit may be secured in place in a manner similar to the panel unit A.

If it is desired. to construct a comer condition one of the panel units A shown in Figure 3, is omitted, and also the cover 21, and the remaining panel units A and A are secured together in any suitable manner. The corner may be completed by the attachment of an end cover of angle form in cross section to the panel units.

In Figure 5 I have illustrated a cross rail adapted for use in double walled partitions in which removable side walls 34 are employed to permit of insertion and removal of the panels. In Figure 6 a cross rail adapted for use in single walled partitions is illustrated in which removable glazing strips 35 are employed to permit of insertion and removal of the panels.

I claim:-

1. In a partition, an end frame member for panel units having three evenly spaced longitudinal panel receiving grooves of like depth in a face thereof adapting said member for the reception of a panel centrally of its width to provide a single walled unit and for the reception of panels spaced apart transversely of the partition to provide a double walled unit, and means for covering the grooves which are not occupied by panels.

2. In a panel unit for partitions, framing members having three evenly spaced longitudinally extending panel receiving grooves therein 01' like depth and in alignment transversely of the members, panels insertable either in the central grooves to provide a single walled unit or in the other grooves to provide a double walled unit, and means for covering the grooves not occupied by panels.

3. A partition framing element having longitudinally extending grooves located adjacent its side faces for receiving panels to form a double walled partition, a longitudinally extending groove intermediate of said first grooves for receiving panels to form a single walled partition, means engageable in the first grooves adapted to cover the intermediate groove when a double walled partition is formed, and means engageable in the first and theintermediate grooves adapted to cover the first grooves when a single walled partition is formed.

4. A metalic partition comprising a plurality of panel units having end stiles, means for securing the panel units together to form a run of partition with adjacent end stiles forming a post assembly, three spaced longitudinal panel receiving grooves in said end stiles, said grooves being of like depth .and disposed in alignment transversely of the end stiles whereby the width of the post assembly is maintained the same whether the units be single glazed or double glazed.

5. A partition framing element having longitudinally extending grooves located adjacent its side faces for receiving panels to form a double walled partition, a longitudinally extending groove intermediate of said first grooves for receiving a panel to form a single walled partition, and means for covering the grooves not occupied by panels.

WILLIAM SCOTT SNEAD.

A m Mimi-m 

